Graduation Candidate Advocate

Acceleration Academies • Pensacola, FL

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Graduation Candidate Advocate is at the heart of our mission, building meaningful relationships with students to support their journey toward earning their high school diploma. Graduation Candidate Advocates act as mentors and advocates, providing both academic and non-academic support while fostering an environment where students feel valued and empowered. This role is highly relationship-driven and persistence-focused, requiring consistent outreach, problem-solving, and a commitment to understanding and removing barriers that prevent students from attending and progressing. This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build experience in education, student support, or case management.

Requirements

• Associate degree preferred, but non-traditional life experience in education, youth mentorship, or case management will be considered
• 2+ years of relevant experience preferred; candidates with lived experience navigating hardship, working while in school, or overcoming barriers to education will also be considered
• Must be available to work the afternoon/closing shift consistently; this is a year-round, onsite program and daily presence is a non-negotiable expectation
• Strong ability to build genuine, trust-based relationships with students and families while holding Graduate Candidates accountable
• Comfortable managing disrespect, conflict, and escalated situations without escalating in return; ability to remain calm and solution-focused under pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong outreach skills including consistent follow-up with students, families, and team members
• Proficiency with learning management systems and educational technology tools
• A genuine commitment to supporting students who have disengaged from traditional schooling and a drive to help them succeed
• Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours
• On-site presence (for roles designated as in-person/onsite)
• Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations
• Ability to perform job functions in an open, student-centered workspace

Nice To Haves

• Teaching certification (active or in progress), certified candidates may be eligible to serve as teacher of record for select courses
• Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred)
• Experience in non-traditional or alternative educational settings
• Comfort with project-based and competency-based learning approaches

Responsibilities

• Assist with the registration and enrollment process for new students
• Provide comprehensive support during student orientation to set the stage for success
• Act as a case manager for a designated cohort of students, monitoring and documenting regular attendance
• Implement the Acceleration Academy Retention Protocol through proactive outreach including texts, calls, and home visits
• Identify root causes of disengagement and work to remove barriers, not just complete outreach attempts
• Utilize technology tools for efficient daily monitoring and maintenance of student attendance and retention records
• Deliver one-on-one academic support and interventions to facilitate student learning and complement the work of center professionals
• Proctor unit tests one-on-one and support small group proctoring in the virtual school setting
• Collaborate closely with the student support team to track learning pathways, monitor behavior, and implement transition plans including incentive programs
• Partner with team members to problem-solve student challenges and improve engagement outcomes
• Engage in professional development activities to enhance academic support practices
• Support daily site-level behavior management including monitoring noise level, phone use, and language standards
• Assist with check-in table and comeback corner monitoring on rotation with the broader team
• De-escalate student conflict or irate situations calmly and professionally without escalating tensions
• Hold Graduate Candidates to high expectations while validating their experiences and identifying solutions
• Participate in academy meetings and school or community events
• Support home visits and local travel as needed to re-engage students
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the overall mission of the academy
• Advocate for students by assisting in identifying solutions and connecting them to academy staff for academic and non-academic support

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: Starting at $21.50/hour, commensurate with experience
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match
• Comprehensive Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options
• Flexible Paid Time Off: Encouraging a healthy work-life balance through adaptable FTO
• Wellness Support: Employer-paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources
• Employee Referral Incentives: Rewarding you for helping us build a talented team
• Professional Development: Certification reimbursement programs to invest in your growth
• Bonus Opportunities: Performance-based bonuses celebrating milestones and achievements

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees